Three generals were eliminated behind enemy lines in the Russian Federation over the course of two years
Over the past two years, there have been at least six assassination attempts on Russian generals deep within Russian territory, resulting in the deaths of three high-ranking military officers. This was reported by Russian media outlets, which tallied the number of attacks following the alleged assassination attempt on General Alexander Chaika in central Moscow.
According to journalists, the list may be incomplete, as Russian authorities are reluctant to report the deaths of generals and often do not issue official comments.
Since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, high-ranking Russian generals have not only been killed on the front lines but have also become targets of sabotage behind the lines. At least three generals have been killed in explosions in Moscow and the Moscow region; another was shot but survived. There has been no official report that an assassination attempt was made on Alexander Chaika on August 1 at the Balzi Rossi restaurant in a high-rise building on Barrikadnaya Street in Moscow. There is not even any mention of what event he was attending at the restaurant.
Igor Kirilov — a scooter explosion in December 2024
Igor Kirilov, commander of the Russian Federation’s Radiological, Chemical, and Biological Defense Forces, became the first high-ranking general to be killed in a sabotage attack. He was killed as he was leaving his home on Ryazansky Prospekt in Moscow by a bomb attached to a scooter. His assistant, Ilya Polikarpov, was killed alongside him. During interrogation, the perpetrator of the attack claimed that he had been recruited by Ukrainian intelligence services. He was sentenced to life in prison.
Yaroslav Moskalyk — explosion of a stranger’s car in April 2025
Lieutenant General Yaroslav Moskalyk, deputy chief of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, was killed in an explosion in Balashikha, near Moscow. The bomb had been planted in a car and detonated when Moskalyk approached it. Ignat Kuzin was arrested on charges of murdering Moskalyk; investigators described him as an “agent of the Ukrainian special services.” He was also sentenced to life in prison.
Fanil Sarvarov — his car exploded in December 2025
Lieutenant General Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, was killed when his car was blown up. The explosion occurred in a parking lot on Yaseneva Street in southern Moscow. The general had just gotten into his car and driven a few meters. Following Sarvarov’s assassination, the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case, but no detainees or suspects were reported.
Vladimir Alekseev — shot near his apartment in February 2026
Lieutenant General Vladimir Alekseyev was shot in the lobby of an apartment building on Volokolamskoye Shosse in Moscow. According to rumors, he had gone there to visit his mistress and was therefore unescorted. Alekseev held the position of first deputy chief of the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Russian Federation. He “gained notoriety” for his negotiations with Yevgeny Prigozhin during the Wagner Group mutiny, alongside Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-Bek Yevkurov. Alekseev survived but was in critical condition. The attempt on his life may well be “delayed retribution” for Prigozhin’s mutiny, which authorities tried to pass off as sabotage.
Azatbek Omurbekov — Explosion at a Military Garrison in April 2026
In 2022, Major General Azatbek Omurbekov commanded the 64th Motorized Rifle Brigade, which invaded the Kyiv region and was implicated in the killings and torture of civilians in Bucha. Only anonymous sources reported on the assassination attempt against Omurbekov. It was reported that an explosive device had been planted in a mailbox on the grounds of a military garrison in the village of Knyaze-Volkonskoye-1 in the Khabarovsk Krai. The explosion killed the commander of the communications training battalion. Nothing else is known about this assassination attempt.
Alexander Chaiko — an explosion 2.5 km from the Kremlin in August 2026
Colonel General Alexander Chaiko is one of the highest-ranking generals among those who have been targeted. In May 2026, Chaiko was appointed commander of the Russian Federation’s Aerospace Forces. He turned 55 at the end of July. On August 1, an explosion occurred in Moscow in a high-rise building on Barrikadnaya Street near the Balzi Rossi restaurant, where Chaiko was likely celebrating his birthday and his new appointment. Officially, his name was not mentioned anywhere, and the Investigative Committee has not yet reported on the opening of a criminal case. Federal TV channels reported virtually nothing about the explosion. The only official to comment on the explosion was Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who vaguely referred to a “brutal terrorist act” without even specifying the number of victims.
Meanwhile, according to various sources, the death toll has risen to five, and the number of injured to 23. Among others, according to media reports, Chaika’s son-in-law was killed, and his daughter was hospitalized.
This is being reported by Russian propaganda media.
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